Club Development Specialist

TeamFeePay; Belfast; On-site; GBP 30,000 - GBP 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A grassroots football software provider is seeking a Club Development Specialist to enhance the capacity of football clubs. The role involves providing tailored support and guidance on development projects, assisting clubs from planning to execution, and fostering partnerships. The ideal candidate will have extensive project management experience, strong communication skills, and a deep understanding of community football. This position offers a competitive salary and a collaborative work environment.

Benefits

A collaborative and supportive culture and working environment

Competitive salary and bonus

Vitality healthcare

Standard pension and holidays

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience of managing or supporting football clubs realise capital development projects from project initiation through to project completion.
• Demonstrable experience of successfully securing funding for sports clubs for significant capital projects.
• Demonstrable understanding of the community and voluntary sector and volunteer-led sports organisations.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary point of contact for clubs undertaking an agreed development project.
• Provide tailored support to clubs from project initiation through to completion.
• Help clubs clarify their project objectives, outcomes, scope, and success measures.
• Monitor progress against agreed milestones and outcomes.
• Support clubs to engage effectively with partners such as local authorities.

Skills

Understanding of community and voluntary sector football clubs

Project planning and organisational skills

Strong communication and relationship management

Ability to support, challenge, and enable volunteer-led football clubs

Problem-solving and risk awareness

Strong written skills for plans, reports, and funding applications

Job description

We’re currently recruiting for a Club Development Specialist to join our team!

The Club Development Specialist plays a critical role in strengthening the capacity, sustainability, and long‑term success of affiliated clubs. This position provides tailored, hands‑on, and strategic support to clubs undertaking key development initiatives, ensuring they have the guidance, resources, and infrastructure needed to thrive. Working closely with club committees, volunteers, community partners, and internal stakeholders, the Specialist helps clubs to plan effectively, govern responsibly, and access appropriate funding opportunities to achieve their goals.

Company Purpose

TeamFeePay is a software platform for grassroots football clubs, helping club committees and volunteers with their club development needs and day‑to‑day management. Our software and account‑managed service supports clubs with our 5‑Pillar Club Development approach.

• Finance
• People
• Governance
• Facilities & Equipment
• Football

Employee Benefits

• A collaborative and supportive culture and working environment
• Competitive salary and bonus
• Vitality healthcare
• Standard pension and holidays
• Professional development opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

Club Support & Project Enablement

• Act as the primary point of contact for clubs undertaking an agreed development project, particularly facility development projects.
• Provide tailored support to clubs from project initiation through to completion.
• Help clubs clarify their project objectives, outcomes, scope, and success measures.
• Assess club readiness, capacity, and risk before and during project delivery.

Project Planning & Development

• Support clubs to develop clear project plans and timelines, defining roles and responsibilities within the club.
• Support clubs to choose appropriate delivery approaches (phased, pilot, partnership, etc.).

Funding & Resource Support

• Help clubs identify and access appropriate resources (funding, volunteers, partnerships, expertise).
• Support the development of funding applications, business cases, or investment proposals where required.
• Help clubs plan for affordability and long-term sustainability.

Governance, Risk & Quality

• Support clubs to put in place appropriate governance and decision‑making arrangements for their project.
• Help identify and manage risks (financial, delivery, reputational, safeguarding, compliance).
• Promote good practice in safeguarding, equality, inclusion, and welfare across all projects.

Stakeholder & Partnership Working

• Support clubs to engage effectively with partners such as local authorities, schools, community organisations, national or regional bodies, and funders and sponsors.
• Broker relationships and help resolve barriers where appropriate.

Project Monitoring & Delivery Support

• Monitor progress against agreed milestones and outcomes.
• Provide challenge and support where projects drift, stall, or encounter problems.
• Help clubs adapt plans in response to changing circumstances.

Sustainability & Impact

• Support clubs to embed project outcomes into normal club operations.
• Help clubs plan for long‑term sustainability beyond the life of the project.
• Support clubs to measure and evidence the impact of their project (participation, inclusion, governance, finances, quality, etc.).

Data, Reporting & Learning

• Maintain records of supported clubs, projects, progress, and outcomes.
• Produce reports for internal teams, partners, and funders.
• Capture learning and case studies to inform future practice and share good examples.

Continuous Improvement & Best Practice

• Stay informed about best practice in club development and volunteer‑led football.
• Contribute to guidance, toolkits, templates, and resources for clubs.
• Use insight from delivery to inform strategic planning and service improvement.

Key Skills and Competencies (Essential)

• Understanding of community and voluntary sector football clubs
• Project planning and organisational skills
• Strong communication and relationship management
• Ability to support, challenge, and enable volunteer‑led football clubs
• Problem‑solving and risk awareness
• Strong written skills for plans, reports, and funding applications

Essential Experience

• Demonstrable experience of managing or supporting football clubs realise capital development projects from project initiation through to project completion.
• Demonstrable experience of successfully securing funding for sports clubs for significant capital projects.
• Demonstrable understanding of the community and voluntary sector and volunteer‑led sports organisations.